Vital Remains

Latest Vital Remains News

Below is our complete Vital Remains news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.

Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.

This year's Los Angeles Murderfest will take place on April 18th, 19th, and 20th at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood, CA. The event will feature two stages and although headliners have yet to be announced, the following acts are slated to perform:

Metal Blade Records has announced the signing of Oregon/California death metal band Brain Drill. Formed in the summer of 2005 by Dylan Ruskin (guitars) his next goal was to find a drummer that could actually play death metal and not just claim they could. Dylan ended up recruiting drummer Marco Pitruzzella, former drummer of VITAL REMAINS, VILE, VORNAGAR, ATROCIOUS HYSTERIA, NUMA, and a few other extreme metal bands. After a few months of jamming Steve Rathjen was then later put onto vocals. Rounding out the band is Jeff Hughell on bass who joined the band in the winter of 2006. With mind blowing style and speed, inventing a 10 fingered tapping technique using a 7 string bass, and the song learning capabilities of a genius it was quite obvious he was a perfect fit into this now 4-piece arsenal.

As of now, BRAIN DRILL has shared the stage with bands such as: CANNIBAL CORPSE, DYING FETUS, NECROPHAGIST, JOB FOR A COWBOY, UNMERCIFUL, ALL SHALL PERISH, DECREPIT BIRTH, and very many other extreme metal bands. In addition BRAIN DRILL has come in at number 8 in the top 10 MySpace grindcore band charts in the world and has also come in at number 11 in the top 20 MySpace death metal charts in the world.

“We are blown away to be able to put out our first album ever on Metal Blade records, with label mates like Cannibal Corpse, Job For A Cowboy, Hate Eternal and Cattle Decapitation, and a history of working with bands like Slayer and Metallica. We are ready to make Brian Slagel and everybody at Metal Blade proud. Witness the Brutality!!” Brain Drill

“Alex Webster of Cannibal Corpse came to us and told us we had to check out this band Brain Drill that they had played with at a stop on their most recent tour. As soon as I got to the 2nd song on the EP, I knew this was a band we had to have on our roster. They are amazing, full on, crazy, fast as hell death metal (think Spawn of Possession, Cryptopsy & Vomitory all rolled into one). Welcome to the family, guys!” Metal Blade Records – Jen Graham

After a five-year hiatus, Dino Cazares (co-founding member of the revolutionary band Fear Factory) has triumphantly returned with a new group -- Divine Heresy. The band's members feature Cazares handling guitar and bass duties, Tim Yeung (Hate Eternal, Vital Remains) on drums and newcomer Tommy Vext on vocals. Their Century Media Records debut offering is entitled "Bleed The Fifth" and is set for an August release. (The record will be released on Century Media in North America with Roadrunner Records having the rights to all other territories).

"Bleed The Fifth" was produced by Dirty Icon (Logan Mader and Lucas Banker) and co-produced by Divine Heresy. Dirty Icon and Divine Heresy also handled the mixing duties. Joachim Luetke (Dimmu Borgir, Arch Enemy) has also created the album's striking cover art, which perfectly compliments the music's sheer intensity.

This offering is unquestionably Cazares career defining work and he states: "It took me four years to find the right musicians to make this happen and I'm very excited to finally unleash this to the world. Many people will be wondering what it sounds like, but it is hard for me to describe it. All I can say is when you hear the legendary machine gun riffs mixed with Tim Yeung's lighting speed double bass drums combined with Tommy's brutal and powerful vocals, just be prepared to face the Annihilation. I promise you will not be disappointed."

Vext states, "Approaching this I realized that I would have to bring a lot to the table working with such renown and accomplished musicians. Having everyone coming from different metal backgrounds was a challenge, but it is that exact formula that gives us such an eclectic sound. Also, having worked with vocal instructor Melissa Cross (Zen of Screaming) for the past three years I'd utilized those tools and exercises to push my abilities further than I ever imagined. I am so proud and excited to unveil this band to the world!"

Vocalist Damien Boynton of the Oregon-based death metallers DESOLATION is currently on the road with VITAL REMAINS as the group's lead singer for their European Icons of Evil tour. Filling on bass is Brian Hobbie of CATASTROPHIC.

The band's recent gig in Poland was filmed for a DVD, to be released later in the year.

A video clip of VITAL REMAINS performing in Stockholm, Sweden on April 9 has been posted online at YouTube.

VITAL REMAINS recently uploaded a new song, entitled "Hammer down the Nails", to its MySpace page. The track comes off "Icons of Evil", due in North America on April 24 via Century Media Records. Produced by Erik Rutan (CANNIBAL CORPSE, GOATWHORE), "Icons of Evil" marks the group's second recording with Benton (DEICIDE) on vocals. Lazaro wrote the entire album and handled bass duties for its recording, while Suzuki once again tracked all the drums and lead guitar parts. The album's striking artwork can be viewed at this location. More...

DENIAL FIEND's previously announced European dates with VITAL REMAINS and BLOODY SIGN are in jeopardy after "vokillist" Kam Lee's (ex-MASSACRE, DEATH) passport application was apparently denied, making it impossible for him to tour outside the U.S.

"It should be a great introductory tour for us. Anyone into the more classic sound of Tampa metal will be pleased for sure. We're definitely excited for people to hear our material. We're also anticipating the crowd going nuts when we break out some old Massacre classics! This is Kam's big return to Europe after all, so we're going to make it special."

Sweden's INSISION have issued the following update:"At this moment we are preparing for the two gigs with VITAL REMAINS and for the past two months we have also been trying out a new axe-bender, namely Magnus, to join the group and if possible he will be joining forces and prove himself worthy on these to gigs. As for the release of our third album Ikon, we have been informed there will be slight delay caused by problems out of the bands reach. Our label, Dental Records, have some "problems" with their distro and therefore the album is further delayed. We will be informing you all as things progress."

Extreme Blackened Death Metal titans VITAL REMAINS have returned with a vicious new slab of blasphemy that promises to strike fear in the hearts of the masses. The much-anticipated new album, "Icons of Evil", was produced by the renowned Erik Rutan (HATE ETERNAL, ALAS, MORBID ANGEL, RIPPING CORPSE) and is set for an April 24 release.

The cover art has already created a great deal of controversy, but the band's founder Tony Lazaro (guitars) refuses to censor his vision in any way. "It is great to see that the cover of our new record has already started some controversy," he said. "Some of our distributors saw the artwork and suggested we change it. The record's scheduled to come out around Easter, and apparently the subject of Christ being nailed to his cross is a bit extra-sensitive around that time. We were told no one would take the CD unless we either changed it or put a slipcase over it. I absolutely refused to change shit, but I still wanted our fans to be able to find the album in their local stores, so we ultimately decided to go with the slipcase. I'm still pretty bummed about it, but this was out of my hands.

"I am extremely excited to announce that we've confirmed some amazing European festivals. We are now scheduled to play the Metalmania Fest (Poland), Fuck The Commerce (Germany) and the mighty Wacken Open Air (Germany), which has been a dream of mine for years now. So many great legends have performed at that fest, and it's great be a part of it.

"Our MySpace page now has some cool footage of Dave Suzuki recording the drums to the new track 'Hammer Down The Nails'. We're going to be doing a video for it as soon as we can 'nail down' a date with Glen (Benton, vocals). Speaking of dates, we're also working on a full North American tour for the summer. Stay tuned for more info."

"Icons of Evil" marks the group's second recording with Benton (DEICIDE) on vocals. Lazaro wrote the entire album and handled bass duties for its recording, while Suzuki once again tracked all the drums and lead guitar parts.

The cover artwork for the new VITAL REMAINS album, "Icons of Evil", has been posted online at this location. Due on April 3, "Icons of Evil" was produced by the renowned Erik Rutan (CANNIBAL CORPSE, GOATWHORE). This offering marks the group's second recording with Glen Benton (DEICIDE) on vocals. Founder Tony Lazaro (guitars) wrote the entire album and handled bass duties for its recording, while Dave Suzuki once again tracked all the drums and lead guitar parts.

Here is the "Icons of Evil" track listing:

01. Where Is Your God Now02. Icons of Evil03. Scorned04. Born To Rape The World05. Reborn…The Upheaval of Nihility06. Hammer Down The Nails07. Shrapnel Embedded Flesh08. 'Til Death09. In Infamy10. Disciples of Hell

Lazaro further describes the new effort: "A big thanks to Erik Rutan, who really worked us to near death in order to get us to deliver our best performances, which we think we did, without a doubt! We thought 'Dechristianize' was a tough album to record, but this effort proved us wrong. This album, hands down, sets the bar for death metal. We think our fans will soon agree without question that this is our 'Reign In Blood'."

Drawing from classic '80s metal bands such as VENOM, BATHORY, MERCYFUL FATE, MORBID ANGEL, DEICIDE and SLAYER, VITAL REMAINS based their survival through a DIY underground approach that earned them a rabid legion of fans. However, after four full-length releases the group's biggest break would come in 2003 as they signed to Century Media and released the genre-defying epic "Dechristianize". It was hailed by critics and fans alike as one of extreme metal's most accomplished and ambitious works yet that ever garnered mainstream acclaim. The album quickly elevated the band into the death metal elite and was supported by four full U.S. tours, further solidifying their status as one of the genre's hardest-working acts.

DENIAL FIEND, PROPHECY, DEVOURMENT and VIRAL LOAD have been confirmed for the Fuck The Commerce X festival, set to take place May 17-19 in Neiden (near Torgau), Germany. The festival billing is shaping up as follows (in alphabetical order):

U.S. legends of epic black death metal VITAL REMAINS have just returned home from Mana Recording Studio in Florida where they completed work on the follow-up to 2003's "Dechristianize" with Glen Benton of DEICIDE onec again handling lead vocals.

Commented VITAL REMAINS rhythm guitarist Tony Lazaro: "We've just returned home from Mana Recording in Florida where we spent the whole month of December/January working on the new album. Yes, it's done and what can we say other than holy shit! We cannot wait for the fans to hear this new album!! I really think all of our fans are going to shit themselves when they hear this.

"To those few who thought we couldn't top 'Dechristianize', you're in for a real surprise because we did! We thought 'Dechristianize' was a tough album to do. Oh, man! This album, hands down, sets the bar. We spent 12-13 hours a day straight with no days off. The drums took some 10 days alone to track all nine songs. Glen's vocals sound sick and his performance and attack was awesome! Dave's [Suzuki] leads and harmonies are some of his best work to date. Total shredding as well as a great drum performance done by Dave. He really worked hard to get his best drum tracks down.

"The overall sound of the new album is just HUGE! We are very proud of the results of all this hard work and we think our fans will soon agree as well. A BIG THANKS to Erik Rutan who really worked us to near death, ha! Much respect to you and Shaun Otani for really working hard and pushing us to the point of insanity to bring out our best performances, to which we think you did without a doubt! This is without question our 'Reign in Blood' album. Soon the underground worldwide will get to hear this unholy brutality! Hammer down the nails!!"

VITAL REMAINS is currently booking shows in support of the upcoming album. Also in the works is a single and a video — the first clip in the band's 18-year history.

VITAL REMAINS last spring re-released its "Horrors of Hell" compilation which contains the band's early demo recordings.

Guitarist Tony Lazaro of VITAL REMAINS has issued the following update:

"So our tour with the Swedes... DISMEMBER and GRAVE came to an end. We had a killer time out there and want to thank all the bands we shared the stage with... DISMEMBER, GRAVE, DEMIRICOUS and WITHERED. Thanks to all the metal fans that came out in support!! It was great to go out on one more tour before we lock ourselves up in the practice space and finish witting the album.

"St. Pete's [St. Petersburg, Florida] was a great stop. Got to hang out with Trey from MORBID ANGEL. Thanks for coming out to the show and hanging out all night at the Hard Rock Cafe Casino drinking until the sun came up. And then realizing I had to drive with no sleep, aaahhh the road, you got love it! Hahaha. Also Erik Rutan [HATE ETERNAL, MORBID ANGEL] came to pick Dave and I up to visit his studio Mana Recording. This place is so nice and the board and gear they have is awesome! We can't wait to record this album down there, it's going to be sick! With Rutan, Benton, Suzuki and me locked in a studio for a month there's not enough holy water to wash away the mess we are going to make! Christ better be wearing depends..."

VITAL REMAINS this past spring re-released its "Horrors of Hell" compilation which contains the band's early demo recordings.

HATE ETERNAL mainman Erik Rutan has commented on the passing of former MORBID ANGEL/HATE ETERNAL bassist/vocalist Jared Anderson, who died on Saturday, October 14 at the age of 30. The cause of his death has not yet been released.

Said Rutan: "This has been so hard for me to put into words for I am just devastated.

"Jared was such an incredible person, amazing musician and most of all, a best friend, a brother, family.

"Jared and I played together for over five years in HATE ETERNAL. We worked together on INTERNECINE, we toured together with MORBID ANGEL and spent some of the best days of our lives together as bandmates and as best friends.

"Jared was so devoted to his music, life, his friends and his family. There was nothing he would not do for anyone he cared for.

"Jared was there for me as I was for him, through thick and thin, good times and bad, a friend you could trust with your life.

"Jared and I spoke last week as we often did. He sounded so positive, healthy in his heart, in his mind, in his body.

"Jared worked so hard to accomplish all his goals in life and his dreams. We always talked about the good 'ole times and how great it would be to play together again someday. How Jared, Derek and I did so much together and lived a dream that so many wish to live. These times I will always cherish.

"Jared will always be a part of me for the rest of my life. I will never forget the friend he was to me and the endless devotion and loyalty he had for his fans, friends and family. I will always be grateful to have had Jared be such a big part of my life.

"I shall carry on your memory forever, your music will live on forever, your spirit will live on forever.

"Let us rejoice in all he did in his life and for the lives around him that he ever so touched. Now it is time for me to go support the Anderson family in their time of need and do one of the hardest things I have ever done — put my best friend to eternal rest.

"You will never be forgotten, my friend. May you find peace!!! I love you brother!!"

As previously reported, funeral services for Jared Anderson will be held Thursday, October 19 at the Funeral Home. Interment Pierce Township Cemetery in Ohio.

Jared Anderson was most recently working on a project which was known by its alias AS ONE...

Back in February 2006, former MORBID ANGEL bassist/vocalist Steve Tucker confirmed that he and Anderson were collaborating on new material in the "death metal" vein.

According to a MySpace bulletin from VITAL REMAINS, bassist and vocalist Jared Anderson passed away on Saturday, October 14. He was a former member of MORBID ANGEL and HATE ETERNAL. No cause of death has been released.

Visitation will take place Thursday, October 19 at the E. C. Nurre Funeral Home, St. Rt. 125 Amelia, Ohio from 9 am to 11 am followed by Funeral Services Thursday, 11 a.m. at the Funeral Home. Interment Pierce Township Cemetery.

Scheduled to kick off their East Coast tour tomorrow, Sept. 30, in Bedford, NH with Dismember, Grave, Demiricous and Withered, Vital Remains was notified yesterday that they were not welcome to perform at the first show. Vital’s guitarist, Tony Lazaro states, “We were scheduled to play with Grave and Dismember up at Mark’s Place in Bedford, NH but the promoter booted us from the show. He said since we are ‘affiliated’ with the ‘evil’ Glen Benton that he wanted nothing to do with us. I guess he had heard what happened at the Deicide show in TX, heard he sang for us on our last record and is gonna sing for us on this next one and was worried that, I don’t know, we’d be sacrificing children of something. We told him that Glen wasn’t even going to be on this tour with us. I think he’s sitting home in FL right now ready to go out on the road with Deicide. The guy didn’t even care. We are guilty by association! We’re sorry to anyone up there who was planning on seeing us. We’ll try and get up there soon, we just need to find a promoter who isn’t afraid of us, and by the way, everyone knows we sacrifice goats on stage, not children. Metal”

Scheduled to record the follow up to 2003’s Dechristianize this winter, Vital Remains has already announced that Glen Benton will be returning to record vocals for the new album. Re-released this spring was the band’s Horrors Of Hell compilation which contains the band’s early demo recordings.